Botswana Makes Pre-Border Customs Declaration Mandatory

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has introduced mandatory pre-lodgment of customs declarations for all commercial goods transported by road to, through or from Botswana, with traders now required to obtain clearance before setting off for the border.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) issued an advisory on Monday, 3 August 2026, alerting stakeholders to the new requirement, which took effect on 1 August.

According to a BURS Public Notice dated 10 July 2026, attached to ZIMRA’s statement, the measure is mandatory in terms of the Botswana Customs Act.

ZIMRA said: “Traders are required to submit customs declarations and obtain ‘PROCEED TO BORDER’ status before commencing their journey to the border. Stakeholders engaged in cross-border trade with Botswana are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these requirements to facilitate efficient border clearance and compliance.”

The new system applies to all importers, exporters and transporters of commercial goods by road whose consignments are destined to, through or from Botswana. It directly affects Zimbabwean traders and truckers using border posts such as Plumtree / Ramokgwebana, the main crossing between the two countries, as well as those using Botswana as a transit corridor to South Africa and Namibia.

Under the new rules, BURS says four steps must be completed after loading and before setting off for the border. Traders must lodge a customs declaration through the BURS Customs Management System and submit all supporting documents, wait for the declaration to attain “PROCEED TO BORDER” status, and only then proceed to the border. BURS has warned that failure to comply will attract penalties.

“Do NOT arrive at the border unless your customs declaration has attained ‘PROCEED TO BORDER’ status. Any person who arrives at the border before their customs declaration has attained ‘PROCEED TO BORDER’ status commits an offence and is liable to a penalty of P10, 000,” the notice states.

ZIMRA said it remains “committed to supporting informed compliance and promoting seamless regional trade through timely dissemination of information from partner customs administrations.”

Botswana has in recent years been tightening border controls and digitising customs processes in a push to reduce congestion, curb smuggling and improve revenue collection.

The pre-lodgment system is expected to cut waiting times at the border if complied with, but could see trucks turned away or fined if they arrive without prior clearance.

Related:

ZIMRA Says Anti-Smuggling Drive Has Recovered Over US$1.4 Million In Revenue ZIMRA Eases Customs Rules For Zimbabweans Returning From South Africa